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James Kirkwood

Also Credited As: James Kirkwood, Jr.

Birth Place: Hollywood, CA, USA

Productions

 
[West End, 2024] [Replacement]
Book Writer[Replacement]

Writing

Playwright
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

James Kirkwood, A Chorus Line


winner
Olivier Awards - 1976 - Musical of the Year

James Kirkwood , A Chorus Line

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding New American Play

James Kirkwood, P.S. Your Cat Is Dead!


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1975 - Best Musical

James Kirkwood, A Chorus Line

Videos

News


Review: A CHORUS LINE at Downtown Cabaret Theatre
by Sean Fallon - Jun 14, 2026

There is no denying the extreme talent of the A CHORUS LINE cast. Director Brad Blake, choreographer Diana Deaver, music director Mark Ceppetelli, and assistant director Steve Belli combine their talents to help bring out the best in this first-rate ensemble cast! The hard work and dedication of all people involved is evident, with the entire cast bringing their A game to this show! They all have excellent stage chemistry with each other, a strong stage presence, and clearly enjoy performing. The synchronicity in dancing is breathtaking, enhanced by the impact of real mirrors as the back stage wall, creating the illusion of twice the dancers being on stage.
A CHORUS LINE To Be Presented At BLUEBARN Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2026

BLUEBARN Theatre will present A CHORUS LINE, the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical conceived by Michael Bennett. The production will run at BLUEBARN Theatre and feature direction by Susan Clement and choreography by Melanie Epps.
Sutton Foster and More Named to Center Theatre Group Board of Directors
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 20, 2026

Center Theatre Group has added ten new members to its Board of Directors: Stephen Cheung, Nancy Dennis, Sutton Foster, Jennifer Lewis, and more, bringing the number up to 56.
Review: Matthew Lombardo's WHEN PLAYWRIGHTS KILL Slays with Laughter
by R. Scott Reedy - Apr 14, 2026

Seven years ago, an already hot summer in Boston heated up even more during a pre-Broadway tryout of a truncated version of playwright Matthew Lombardo’s “Tea at Five” at the Huntington Theatre when its star, Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway, was fired after allegations that she physically and verbally assaulted crew members on the troubled production.
A CHORUS LINE and More Set for Geva Theatre 2026/27 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 24, 2026

Geva Theatre in Rochester, NY, led by Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson, will present a dynamic 2026/27 season featuring musicals, dramas, and new works, starting with A CHORUS LINE in September.
Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre Reveals 2026/27 Season - A CHORUS LINE and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 4, 2026

The 5th Avenue Theatre Company has revealed its 2026/27 season, featuring a collection of five shows, two self-produced, two national tours, and one still to be announced that will combine for a captivating year of theater.
TheaterWorks To Present A CHORUS LINE In February
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 5, 2026

TheaterWorks will present A Chorus Line, the landmark musical by Marvin Hamlisch, Edward Kleban, James Kirkwood Jr., and Nicholas Dante, from February 6 through February 22, 2026, at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts.
Barrington Stage Company 2026 Season to Feature A CHORUS LINE 50th Anniversary Production
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 20, 2025

Barrington Stage Company's 2026 season will feature a 50th Anniversary production of A Chorus Line, the legendary Broadway musical that won nine 1976 Tony Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Video: 'One' from Goodspeed's A CHORUS LINE
by Joshua Wright - Oct 27, 2025

Watch a clip of the finale from Goodspeed's A Chorus Line in this all-new video. Goodspeed's production of the beloved musical is now running through November 2.
Video: Liesie Kelly Stuns With 'At The Ballet' from Goodspeed's A CHORUS LINE
by Joshua Wright - Oct 14, 2025

Watch Liesie Kelly, Scarlett Walker and Lisa Finegold perform At The Ballet from Goodspeed's A Chorus Line. Goodspeed's production of the beloved musical is now running through November 2.
Video: Highlights from Goodspeed's A CHORUS LINE
by Joshua Wright - Oct 13, 2025

Get a first look at highlights from Goodspeed's production of A CHORUS Line! Goodspeed's production of the beloved musical is now running through November 2. A Chorus Line is conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett.
A CHORUS LINE: Passion, Persistence and a Contemporary Take on a Classic
by Claudio Erlichman - Oct 9, 2025

At Teatro VillaLobos, the Broadway classic takes on a new life under the direction and choreography of Bárbara Guerra, who updates the visuals with large screens and real-time projections without losing the soul of the original, with a fine-tuned cast that delivers moving performances in numbers like 'At the Ballet' and 'What I Did for Love'. Metalinguistic and vibrant, the production celebrates the dreams, pain, and persistence of those who live to dance.
Video: Watch 'What I Did for Love' from Goodspeed's A CHORUS LINE
by Michael Major - Sep 30, 2025

The cast of A Chorus Line, led by Mikaela Secada as Diana, sing of their love for dance in 'What I Did for Love.' Watch the new video of the beloved showtune now!
Interview: Pelton, Brightbill, Walko, Marshall-Michelson of A CHORUS LINE at Dutch Apple
by Andrea Stephenson - Sep 24, 2025

A Chorus Line, featuring music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante, first opened in 1975 under the direction of Michael Bennett with co-choreographer Bob Avian.
Video: Goodspeed's A CHORUS LINE in Rehearsal
by Joshua Wright - Aug 22, 2025

Go inside rehearsals for Goodspeed Musicals' production of  A Chorus Line, the third show of 2025 season. The groundbreaking backstage musical about the hopes and dreams of Broadway dancers makes its Goodspeed debut from Sept. 5 – Oct. 26 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. 
Review: A CHORUS LINE at Beck Center For The Arts
by Roy Berko - Aug 6, 2025

A CHORUS LINE is considered by many theatre experts to be one of the shows that set the pattern for what is labeled the American Musical Theater. 
Photos: On the Red Carpet for A CHORUS LINE's 50th Anniversary
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 31, 2025

The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), along with Tony Award-winning producers Christopher Ketner and Hunter Regian, presented A Chorus Line Official 50th Anniversary Celebration at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre. Check out photos from the red carpet here.
Photos: Inside A CHORUS LINE's 50th Anniversary Celebration
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 31, 2025

Earlier this week., The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), along with Tony Award®-winning producers Christopher Ketner and Hunter Regian, presented A Chorus Line Official 50th Anniversary Celebration at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre, home of Hell’s Kitchen. All proceeds from the event benefitted the Entertainment Community Fund’s programs serving dance professionals. Check out photos here!
Cast Set For A CHORUS LINE at Goodspeed
by Stephi Wild - Jul 30, 2025

Goodspeed Musicals will welcome A Chorus Line as its third production of the 2025 season. The groundbreaking backstage musical about the hopes and dreams of Broadway dancers makes its Goodspeed debut.
Video: Inside the A CHORUS LINE 50 Concert With Donna McKechnie, Robyn Hurder & More
by Michael Major - Jul 28, 2025

Watch a video of Robyn Hurder performing 'The Music and the Mirror' at the A Chorus Line 50 celebration concert, alongside original Cassie, Donna McKechnie, and Charlotte D'Amboise.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has James Kirkwood written?

James Kirkwood has written 4 shows including Dance Me a Song (Bookwriter), UTBU (Playwright), P. S. Your Cat Is Dead! (Playwright), A Chorus Line (Bookwriter).

What awards has James Kirkwood been nominated for?

James Kirkwood has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "A Chorus Line," Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "A Chorus Line," Outstanding New American Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "P.S. Your Cat Is Dead!," and Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "A Chorus Line."

What awards has James Kirkwood won?

James Kirkwood has won several awards for his work in the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line." He received the Outstanding Book of a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for his contribution to the show. Additionally, "A Chorus Line" was recognized as the Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards. The New York Drama Critics Circle Awards also honored the production with the Best Musical award. These accolades highlight Kirkwood's success and the acclaim that "A Chorus Line" received during its Broadway run.

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